Women's Basketball

What They're Saying

May 19, 2011

C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers head coach, Naismith Hall of Fame Inductee:
"Carlene is an amazing person and great coach, someone who I consider a true friend. We're going to miss having her with us because her abilities as a coach have been instrumental in helping us continue the success we've built at Rutgers. The fact that Carlene was my associate head coach speaks volumes. She's enthusiastic, has a great mind for the game of basketball and has proven to be an amazing recruiter. She has an uncanny ability to really connect with the young women, which is so important to being a great coach.

"I've been a head coach for a long time and watched so many of my former assistants move on to become head coaches but it never gets any easier to see them leave. It was only a matter of time that someone of her caliber, who has been as successful as she has, takes that next step in their career and I know without a doubt she will rise to the occasion. Carlene has been waiting for this opportunity and I couldn't be more proud and happy for her. She truly deserves it and we wish her well."

Mark French, former UC Santa Barbara women's basketball head coach:
"I am very excited to have Carlene as the new head coach of the UCSB women's basketball program. I know she will continue to value the growth of our outstanding women, on and off the court, while bringing a strong dose of Rutgers and Big East toughness to the Gauchos."

Bob Williams, UC Santa Barbara men's basketball head coach:
"She is a dynamic young assistant who has worked her way up the ladder and is widely acclaimed as one of the top recruiters in the country. Working 10 years with a Hall of Fame coach gives you the credentials and the background to be highly successful."

Essence Carson WNBA; New York Liberty; 3-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year:
"Naming Coach Mitchell as the new head coach at UCSB is a major gain for their program. Not only does she have an uncanny knack of recruiting, but she also encompasses a great basketball IQ that will definitely take their program to the next level. Congratulations to Coach Mitchell and the UCSB women's basketball program; America expects great things."

Kurt Budke, Oklahoma State women's basketball head coach:
"At Trinity Valley (CC), Carlene won a national championship with me as our starting point guard. In the championship game, she had 17 assists, which is still a record. Even at that point and time, I knew Carlene was going to be a great coach because she was a great coach and leader on the floor. She is one of the rising stars in this business and has coached with some of the best and against some of the best. This is definitely the right time for her to take the next step as a head coach. I think it is a perfect fit for Carlene. UC Santa Barbara has a great women's basketball history and it's a place that wants to win, they support the program and she couldn't have picked a better place nor select a better coach."

Brian Agler, Seattle Storm (WNBA) head coach:
"First and foremost, Carlene is ready. She is a hard worker with a tremendous pedigree who has risen through the coaching ranks to get this opportunity. She coached alongside a Hall of Fame coach in C. Vivian Stringer, worked with Dick Halterman and played for Kurt Budke. Carlene has a wealth of experience and that will translate well at UC Santa Barbara."

Debbie Antonelli, Women's College Basketball Analyst:
"Coach Mitchell embodies the triple threat of good teachers in the game. She has the ability to recruit as reflected in the classes she helped sign at Rutgers, she can plan and prepare her team with a high skill-level development program and lastly, she can game adjust. These are the qualities that make Carlene Mitchell a great choice at UCSB. The pace of play will be fast and fundamental which will make this team exciting to follow. This is a winning choice for both UCSB and Coach Mitchell."